World Trade Organization
Recent News About World Trade Organization
-
Roundtable highlights global cooperation's role in advancing low-carbon hydrogen
A roundtable discussion on low-carbon hydrogen emphasized the importance of global cooperation to leverage renewable resources and advance sustainability. WTO Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam highlighted the role of trade in connecting regions rich in renewable resources with areas of high demand. “Trade can act as a bridge, linking regions rich in renewable resources with areas of high demand. We have been told that it offers a unique opportunity for developing economies to leverage their green comparative advantage, tapping into their vast renewable resources and...
-
Integration urged at UN Committee's business and trade statistics meeting
DDG Ellard opened the 7th meeting of the UN Committee of Experts on Business and Trade Statistics on September 24, 2024. In her address, she emphasized the need to integrate traditional trade statistics with business statistics to gain a comprehensive view of global trade patterns.
-
UN committee highlights importance of integrated business-trade stats
The 7th meeting of the UN Committee of Experts on Business and Trade Statistics took place at the World Trade Organization. This event underscored the collaboration between the United Nations and the World Trade Organization in statistics, covering methodological work and capacity building in developing economies.
-
Indonesia initiates safeguard probe on plastic tarpaulins
Indonesia has initiated a safeguard investigation on tarpaulins made from plastics and synthetic fibers. The notification includes contact information for the Investigating Authority, the Indonesian Safeguards Committee (Komite Pengamanan Perdagangan Indonesia - KPPI), located at Jl. M.I. Ridwan Rais No.5, Building I, 5th floor, Jakarta 10110. Interested parties can reach them via telephone or facsimile at (62-21) 385 7758 or email at kppi@kemendag.go.id.
-
WTO panel established amid disputes over US Inflation Reduction Act tax credits
China has submitted a second request to establish a panel to review certain tax credits under the United States Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The request aims to determine if these tax credits align with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. The United States had previously rejected China's first request in July, citing the necessity of these actions to combat climate change. China argues that the IRA's subsidies favor US goods over imports, which they claim violates WTO rules against such discrimination.
-
Canada pledges CAD 250K for global food safety standards
Canada has pledged CAD 250,000 to support food, animal, and plant health standards through the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), a global partnership promoting safe and inclusive trade. This contribution was welcomed by WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who emphasized its significance for agricultural innovation and global food security.
-
WTO concludes advanced course on trade in services
An advanced course on trade in services, organized by the WTO Trade in Services Division and the Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation, concluded in Geneva. The course saw participation from various countries including Bangladesh, Madagascar, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Nepal, Tanzania, The Gambia, Zambia, and Bhutan.
-
UAE contributes $4 million for LDC trade capacity enhancement
The UAE's contribution—its first to the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)—will finance initiatives in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) aimed at strengthening trade capacities and facilitating these countries' integration into the global trading system. Discussions on establishing a new multilateral support mechanism for LDCs are currently taking place in a taskforce at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The UAE is the fifth donor to the EIF Interim Facility, which was established to maintain momentum in supporting LDCs during the transition period until the new...
-
WTO dialogues address enhancing capacities and inventories for tackling plastic waste
On September 18, 2024, discussions at the Plastics Pollution Dialogue focused on two critical areas: capacity building and inventories of trade-related plastic measures (TrPMs). These discussions are essential for addressing plastics pollution while maintaining trade as a part of the solution.
-
WTO-FIFA partnership begins national consultations on cotton initiative in Benin
The “Partenariat pour le Coton” initiative, launched in February 2024 following the signing of the WTO-FIFA Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2022, brings together public and private sector partners to support the C-4 plus countries in moving up the cotton value chain and ensuring greater benefits for these nations.
-
WTO members seek momentum for agriculture talks ahead of ministerial conference
Summarizing his informal consultations with members last week, the Chair of the negotiations, Ambassador Alparslan Acarsoy of Türkiye, highlighted a recurring emphasis on the need to rebuild trust among members.
-
WTO advances Sixth Review of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Agreement
At a recent meeting of the SPS Committee, WTO members discussed the revised background document, the draft report of the Sixth Review, and the draft recommendations proposed by the WTO Secretariat. These discussions were based on previous dialogues held during the review process. All pertinent documents are accessible on the webpage dedicated to the Review of the SPS Agreement.
-
WTO members discuss post-MC13 e-commerce work programme focusing on development
Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) convened to discuss the work programme on e-commerce following the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), with a particular focus on development. The meeting took place on September 17, 2024.
-
UAE donates USD 1 million to WTO Fish Fund
The United Arab Emirates has donated USD 1 million to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Fish Fund, marking a significant contribution towards global sustainable fishing practices. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala acknowledged the donation, stating, "The generous contribution from the United Arab Emirates to the WTO Fish Fund is an important step towards supporting sustainable fishing practices globally. It will help fellow WTO members meet their obligations under the landmark Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies and manage their fisheries sustainably. I am grateful for...
-
WTO supports ELSA's Moot Court competition with legal mooting masterclass
The competition is a simulated hearing under the rules of the WTO dispute settlement mechanism involving exchanges of written submissions and oral pleadings before panelists on international trade law issues. The competition is organized by the European Law Students' Association (ELSA) with the technical support of the WTO.
-
DG Okonjo-Iweala discusses global trade resilience with shipping industry leaders
The Director-General emphasized the resilience of global trade despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, climate issues, inflation, and geopolitical tensions. She acknowledged the industry's efforts to mitigate and navigate unexpected changes.
-
WTO announces winner of 2024 essay award for young economists
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has announced Carlos Góes as the winner of the 2024 Essay Award for Young Economists. Góes's paper examines the mechanisms through which trade integration can lead to product innovation.
-
Key role of WTO rules discussed at Public Forum
Nigeria's WTO Ambassador, Adamu Mohammed Abdulhamid, stated that Africa could significantly benefit from the WTO agreements' special and differential treatment provisions to enhance its digital trade capabilities. He emphasized that tailored technical assistance and capacity-building programs could help African governments improve their skillsets and reduce the gap in digital connectivity and infrastructure with the rest of the world. Ambassador Abdulhamid noted that increased technology transfer would make Africa's digitalization efforts more effective.
-
Steel industry leaders emphasize policy support for achieving green goals
The executives expressed confidence that the steel industry is on the right path towards achieving their carbon reduction goals but underlined the importance of having supportive policies in place, including on trade and common emissions measurement methodologies.
-
Harvard professor Jason Furman urges continued embrace of global trade
Jason Furman, Professor of Economic Policy at Harvard University, emphasized that globalization over the past 25 years has significantly improved human welfare. Despite a global population increase of two billion, more than one billion people have been lifted out of extreme poverty, leading to a 70% reduction in poverty worldwide. Key human development indicators like life expectancy, maternal mortality, and literacy have also seen remarkable gains. Mr. Furman attributed these improvements to economic globalization, including the movement of goods, services, capital, people,...